often said that man neither hungers nor thirsts in heaven, and also
that a man finds all his friends there. But I'm ready to faint with
thirst, and I'm all alone--I don't see a soul: I should at least
find my grandfather, who was such a fine man that he didn't owe his
lordship a penny when he died. I'm sure lots of people have lived as
good lives as I have; so why should I be the only one to go to
heaven? Then it can't be heaven. But what can it be? I'm not asleep,
I'm not awake, I'm not dead, I'm not alive, I'm not crazy, I'm not
sane, I am Jeppe of the Hill, I'm not Jeppe of the Hill, I'm poor,
I'm rich, I'm a miserable peasant, I'm an emperor. O--o--o--! Help!
Help! Help! (He roars loudly.)



SCENE 2


(Enter the Valet, Eric, and others who have been watching his
behavior from the doorway.)

VALET. I wish his lordship a very good morning. Here is the
dressing-gown, if his lordship wishes to rise. Eric! run for the
towel and basin.

JEPPE. Oh, worthy chamberlain! I will gladly get up, but I beg of
you, don't hurt me.

VALET. God forbid that we should harm his lordship!

JEPPE. Oh, before you kill me, would you do me the kindness of